Every Breath You Take

A True Story of Obsession, Revenge, and Murder

By: Ann Rule

Narrated by: Blair Brown

America’s #1 true-crime writer unveils the chilling true story of the Sheila Bellush murder, unveiling domestic violence, an obsessive ex-husband, and a desperate plea for justice in this gripping account written at the victim’s request.

“If anything ever happens to me…find Ann Rule and ask her to write my story.”

In perhaps the first true-crime book written at the victim’s request, Ann Rule untangles a web of lies and brutality that culminated in the murder of Sheila Blackthorne Bellush—a woman Rule never met, but whose shocking story she chronicled with compassion, exacting detail, and unvarnished candor.

Although happily ensconced in a loving second marriage, and a new family of quadruplets, Sheila never truly escaped the vicious enslavement of her ex-husband, multi-millionaire Allen Blackthrone, a handsome charmer—and a violent, controlling sociopath who subjected Sheila to unthinkable abuse in their marriage, and terrorized her for a decade after their divorce. When Sheila was murdered in her home, in the presence of her four toddlers, authorities raced to link the crime to Blackthorne, the man who vowed to monitor Sheila’s every move in his obsessive quest for power and revenge.

With her careful research and signature reporting, Ann Rule captures Sheila’s harrowing story while honoring a victim’s last request.©2002 Ann Rule, All Rights Reserved; (P)2002 Simon & Schuster Inc., AUDIOWORKS Is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc.

Good book

Worth "reading". Well researched and presented. Did not like the "history" type style of the book.
But fans of the crime genre will like it.

Well worth it

As an insatiable devotee to "Forensic Files," "City Confidential," and "American Justice," I could not wait to download and listen to Rule's "Breath." Though I was somewhat familiar with the subject matter, I found Rule's telling, complete with details not covered within any of the aforementioned television programs, entertaining, educational, and interesting. Her grasp of the criminal mind, and her ability to present it for the layman, are what drive the content of "Breath," and render it difficult to abandon once started. I strongly recommend both of the Rule books available at this site, and would encourage Audible to aquire those works outstanding.

Can you say

The victim is the exwife of the antagonist, who very likely suffers from what is now called Reactive Attachment Disorder. The book details the background and investigation when a woman is killed. Starts a little slowly but it finishes effectively.

Gruesome and gripping

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It's well written and a very informative documentation of an heinous crime. Both sides of the events are stated and the listener receives a glimpse into the cause and effect of what came to pass.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Every Breath You Take?

The way the antagonists' wife fell apart as his court case depicted him for what he is.

Have you listened to any of Blair Brown’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, not yet.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The obsessive and narcissitic nature of a person to the cost of everyone else, even his children.

Not Her Best Work....

I am a fan of Ms. Rule's. I am an even bigger fan of true crime stories. This story did not keep me interested enough in the characters, and offered too much insignificant information and background in the beginning.